Shipping and display container



Sept. 5, 1967 J. THOMPSON 3,339,714

I SHIPPING AND DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed July 196E 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR (7555? fi/oMPsa/v BY M Q ATTORNEY Sept. 5, 1937 J. THOMPSON 3,333,714

SHIPPING AND DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed July 6, 1965 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Josef/, 7/70MPS0A/ BY (1U F2 E- 6 ATTORNEY p 5, 1967' r J. THOMPSON 3,339,714

SHIPPING AND DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed July 6, 1965 a Sheets-Sheet s lNVENTOR 475.55 T o/w so/v l r u/Lwm 4. M

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,339,714 SHIPPING AND DISPLAY CONTAINER Joseph Thompson, Upper Saddle River, N..I., assignor to Consolidated Cigar Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 6, 1965, Ser. No. 469,528 12 Claims. (Cl. 206-4411) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A shipping and display receptacle for cigar packages comprises a base member formed of a unitary blank and including a rectangular base, a low front wall and a high outer rear wall. Guideways are defined by triangular side walls extending upwardly from the base and connected to the outer rear wall, and triangular panels hinged to the front inclined edges of the side walls and abutting the inner faces thereof. An inner rear wall is hinged at its bottom to the base and a slide defining box is slidably positioned between the base member inner and outer rear walls and is provided with wings which engage the guideways to limit the slide vertical movement. The base memher inner rear wall is rearwardly swingable under the raised slide to releasably lock the slide in its raised position.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in containers and it relates particularly to an improved shipping and display container suitable for the packing and display of articles such as small boxes of cigars and the like.

Many products such as cigars and similar articles are packaged in small groups, for example about four to six in the case of cigars which are contained in small boxes and the boxes in turn are packaged in cartons to facilitate their shipping, distribution and storage. The small boxes of cigars are either removed by the retailer from the larger carton and arranged in a rack or are displayed in the original shipping carton. The mechanical movements involved in removing the small boxes from the carton and in then placing them in a display rack or other support is time consuming and uneconomical. On the other hand, leaving the boxes in the open shipping carton and displaying them in this manner is unattractive as Well as diflicult from the standpoint of space involved. Many types of carton structures have been proposed to serve both shipping and display purposes but these possess many drawbacks and disadvantages. They are awkward and inconvenient devices, difiicult to operate, unattractive in appearance and otherwise leave much to be desired.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved container which is suitable for shipping and display purposes.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved shipping and display container which is attractive in appearance and is convertible easily and quickly from a shipping condition to a display condition.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved shipping and display container of the above nature characterized by its adaptability, flexibility, ruggedness and relatively low cost.

The above and other objectives of the present invention will become apparent from the reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a cut scored blank, for forming the slide member of the present receptacle, illustrated in a lay-fiat condition;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a cut and scored blank for forming the tray member of the present receptacle, also illustrated in a lay-flat condition;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmented front perspective view of the improved receptacle illustrated in a shipping condition;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmented front perspective view of the improved receptacle illustrated in a display condition;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along 66 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a sectional view taken along 77 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along 8-8 of FIGURE 6';

FIGURE 9 is a perspective view of another slide member; and

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of still another form of slide member.

In a sense, the present application contemplates the provision of a shipping and display receptacle comprising of tray member including a base and a rear wall projecting upwardly from said base, a slide member disposed along said rear wall and providing a vertically extending wall and a transversely projecting spacer member connected thereto, and means slidably connecting said slide member to said rear wall and limiting the upward movement thereof.

According to a preferred form of the improved receptacle, the slide member and the tray member are each formed of unitary sheet blanks of cardboard or any other suitable material. The base member comprises a rectangular base provided at its front edge with a relatively shallow front wall and along its rear edge with a relatively high rear wall. Guide walls project upwardly from the side edges of the base member and include outer sections connected along their rear edges to the side edges of the rear wall, and having rearwardly upwardly inclined front edges extending from the upper corners of the front wall to the upper corners of the rear Wall. Connected to the front edges of the side walls are triangular wing sections which are contiguous to the inner faces of the side walls and extend to the rear wall. The wing sections and the side walls delineate guideways and the upper front edges joining the wing and side walls define stops. A rear inner wall is disposed forwardly of the tray rear outer wall and is hinged to the base member. The slide member is in the form of a box which is vertically movably disposed :between the tray rear inner and outer walls, the rear wall of the slide member depending below the front wall and provided along its opposite side edges with triangular wings which slidably register with the tray member guideways.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG- URES 1 through 8 thereof, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference numeral 10 generally designates the improved shipping and display receptacle which includes a tray member 11 and a slide member 12 which in turn are formed from unitary blanks 13 and 14, respectively.

Extending from the upper edge of a panel 16 portion of blank 14 and delineated therefrom by a score line b the line the line the line form of is a narrow panel 18 coextensive with the width of panel' slightly converging upper and lower edges. .Panel portion 16 defines a rear wall of slide 12. A wing 17, of triangular outline, is provided extending laterally from the lower edges of rear wall panel 16, demarked therefrom by score lines a, these serving as guide tabs, as will be explained below.

A front wall-defining rectangular panel 21 portion of blank 14 of less height than that of rear wall panel 16 by an amount about equal to the height of score lines a, extends from the upper edge of panel 18 and is delineated therefrom by a score line d. Closure panels 22 project laterally from the side edges of panel 21 and are coextensive therewith and are delineated from panel 21 by score lines e and are provided along their outer edges with locking flaps 23 delineated from the closure panels 22 by score lines f. A bottom wall-defining panel 24 of the same height as top wall panel 18 extends from the upper edge of front wall panel 21 and is delineated therefrom by a score line g. A pair of closure tabs 26 project from opposite sides of panel 24 and are delineated therefrom by score lines h, and a sealing flap 27 projects from the upper edge of the panel 24, delineated therefrom by a score line i.

In forming slide 12 from blank 14 the panels above score line b are bent forwardly along score line b and the panel 21 is folded downwardly along score line d. The panel 24 is folded rearwardly along fold line g and :flap 27 is folded upwardly along the score line i and is cemented along its rear face to the contiguous front face of panel 16, panel 24 and panel 18 being parallel and horizontally disposed. Tabs 20 and 26 are folded downwardly and upwardly respectively about score lines and h, and end flaps 22 are folded rearwardly along score lines 2 and locking flaps 23 are folded inwardly along score lines 1 and inserted between the front face of panel 16 and the rear edges of tabs 20 and 26. Wings 17 are folded forwardly along score lines a.

Tray blank 13 comprises a rectangular inner back wall-defining panel 28 of approximately the height of back wall slide panel 16, and a connecting panel 29 delineated from the panel 28 by a score line k projecting upwardly from the upper edge of panel 28. An inner front Wall-defining panel 30 of relatively low height pro jects from the upper edge of and is delineated from panel 29 by a score line I which is interrupted along its length by two pair of longitudinally spaced points. U-shaped slits 33 connect adjacent of the longitudinally spaced points along score line I and delineate a pair of longitudinally spaced coupling tabs 32. Projecting upwardly from the upper edge of panel 30iand delineated therefrom by a score line m is a rectangular panel 34. A flap 36 projects upwardly from the upper edge of the panel 34 and is delineated therefrom by a score line n interrupted along its length by a pair of longitudinally spaced-shaped slits 37 which are in alignment with the coupling tab 32.

The upper edge of panel 36 is stepped to provide inner and outer end edges 37 and 38. A score line 0 extending from the end of inner edge 37 to the corresponding end of score line n delineates an edge of a sealing tab 39 of trapezoidal configuration having end edges colinear with the corresponding side edge of panel 34 and panel outer edge 38 respectively. Extending from opposite sides of the panel 34 and delineated therefrom by score lines p are opposite side wall-defining panels 40 of substantially right triangular configuration fore-shortened at the inner corners by the score lines p. The outer sides of panels 40 are parallel to score line p, which are in turn colinear with the side edges of panels 28, 29, 30 and 36. The upfrom the inner inclined edges of side panels 40 and are delineated therefrom by score lines s along side panel inner edges. The inner corner sections of wings 42 are delineated from the panels 29 and 30 by angular slits 43 which leave corresponding recesses in the sides of the panel 29 and 30.

An outer rear wall-defining panel 44- projects outwardly from left hand panel 40' and is delineated therefrom by score line I. The outer edge of the panel 44 is provided with flap 46 delineated from the panel 44 by a vertical score line it, the end edges of the flap 46 converging outwardly. A panel 50 extends from and is coextensive with the upper edge of panel 44 and is delineated therefrom by score line w colinear with score lines r and n. The upper edge of the panel 50 is stepped in the manner of the outer edge of panel 36, and includes an outer edge 47 and an inner edge 48. A sealing tab 49 of trapezoidal configuration similar in shape to sealing tap 39 projects from the upper right hand corner of panel 50 and is delineated therefrom by score line v, tab 49 being related to the upper edge of the panel 50 in the manner that tab 39 is related to the upper edge of panel 36.

Tray 11 is erected from blank 13 and assembled with slide 12 by folding panels 29 and 30- rearwardly along score line m to bring panel 30 in overlying position on panel 34 and coupling tabs 32 are inserted into slits 37. Panel 29 overlies panel 36 and panel 28 is folded forwardly about score line k to an upright position. Flaps 41 are folded upright about score lines r and panels 50 and wings 49 are also folded upright around score line w. The superimposed panels 30 and 34 are folded upwardly along coinciding score line I and 11 carrying the various panels connected to the side edges of panel 34 to an upright position. Wings 42 are folded rearwardly along score lines s and right hand panel 40 is swung rearwardly about the corresponding score line p. The end of tab 41 is sandwiched between panels 29 and 36 and are secured to panel 36 by an adhesive between the confronting faces of panels 36 and tab 41, it being noted that the outer edge of panel 41 is disposed rearwardly of the rear edge of panel 36. Panel 44 is folded rearwardly along the score line t to a position at a right angle to panel 40 with tab 41 overlying tab 49 and being cemented thereto. The left hand panels connected by tabs 41 and 49 are further folded rearwardly along the left hand score line p with tabs 41 and 49 being inserted into sandwiched position between panels 36 and 29, and the stepped outer edges of panels 37, 38, 47 and 48 of the panels 36 and 50 being interlocked. Flap 46 is folded forwardly along the score line u and cemented to the inner face of the rear edge of panel 40 to complete the erection of tray 11.

The rear face of the bottom section of slide panel 16 is brought into contiguous relationship with the front face of tray rear wall 44, with wings 17 in overlying abutment with the rear upper corners of panels 40. Wings 42 are then folded rearwardly about score lines s and slidably sandwich guide tabs 17 between the confronting faces of panels 40 and wings 42, and the tray inner back wall 28 is folded upwardly.

In packaging articles such as boxes 51 in container 10 attendant the storage and shipping thereof, slide member 12 is fully depressed and sandwiched between the tray member back inner and outer walls 28 and 44 to provide a front rectangular loading compartment, as in FIGURE 3. Boxes 51 are inserted into the tray 11, as illustrated in FIG- URE 4, and the package may be wrapped and stored as desired. To convert the shipping container to a display device it is merely unwrapped and the slide 11 raised above the level of the upper edge of the back inner wall 28 and the back inner wall is then tilted rearwardly about the lower edge thereof into engagement with the rear bottom edge of the slide member 12 to lock the slide member in its raised position. The boxes 51 are tilted rearwardly to lean against the back inner wall 28.

In FIGURES 9 and 10 of the drawings there are illustrated modified forms of the slide member which facilitate the storage and dispensing of articles therefrom such as coupons, booklets, pamphlets or other articles. Slide member 52, illustrated in FIGURE 9, is of the same general construction as slide 12, differing therefrom only in that the front wall 53 is provided with a large rectangular access window or opening 54 therein. Thus, articles may be packaged in the slide member 52 and exhibited and dispensed through the opening 54. The slide member 52 is associated with a tray member 11 in the manner of the slide member 12.

The slide member 56 shown in FIGURE differs from that of FIGURE 9 only in that an access opening 57 is formed in an end wall 58 thereof instead of in the front wall. In all other respects, slide members 52 and 56 are alike and they are similarly associated with a tray 11.

While there have been described and illustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A shipping and display receptacle comprising a tray member including a base section and rear outer wall projecting upwardly from the rear edge of said base section and a rear inner wall spaced forwardly of said rear outer wall and hinged along its lower edge to said base section along a line forward of the rear edge thereof, a slide member disposed betwen said rear outer and inner walls and vertically movable relative thereto, and means limiting the upward movement of said slide member to a point above the upper edge of said inner rear wall.

2. A shipping and display receptacle comprising a tray member including a base section and a rear outer wall projecting upwardly from the rear edge of said base section and a rear inner wall spaced forwardly of said rear outer wall and hinged along its lower edge to said base section along a line forward of the rear edge thereof, a slide member disposed between said rear inner and outer walls and vertically movable relative thereto and including front and rear walls abutting the rear inner and outer walls respectively of said tray member and peripheral walls connecting corresponding edges of said slide member front and rear walls, and means limiting the upward movement of said slide member to a point above the upper edge of said inner rear wall.

3. A shipping and display receptacle comprising a tray member including a base section and a rear outer wall projecting upwardly from the rear edge of said base section and a rear inner wall spaced forwardly of said rear outer wall and hinged along its lower edge to said base section along a line forward of the rear edge thereof, opposite side guideways defined by outer side walls extending from the side edges of said base section and extending along and connected to the side edges of said outer rear wall, and inner side walls extending upwardly along the inner faces of said outer side walls and having front edges connected to said outer side wall and rear free edges extending along and spaced from said rear outer wall adjacent the side edges thereof, a slide member disposed between said rear inner and outer walls and vertically movable relative thereto and including front and rear walls contiguous to said tray member rear inner and outer walls respectively, peripheral walls connecting corresponding edges of said slide member front and rear walls,

and tab members positioned on said slide member and slidably registering with said guideways.

4. A shipping and display receptacle comprising a tray member including a base section and a rear outer wall projecting upwardly from the rear edge of said base and a rear inner Wall spaced forwardly of said rear outer wall and hinged along its lower edge to said base section along a line forward of the rear edge thereof, opposite vertically extending side guideways defined by outer side walls extending from the side edges of said base section and extending along and connected to the side edges of said outer rear wall and having upwardly rearwardly inclined front edges extending substantially to said outer rear wall, and inner side walls extending upwardly along the inner faces of said outer side walls and having upwardly rearwardly inclined front edges connected to said outer side wall front edges and rear free edges extending along and spaced from said rear outer wall adjacent to the side edges thereof, a slide member disposed between said rear inner and outer walls and vertically movable relative thereto and including front and rear walls contiguous to the rear inner and outer walls respectively of said tray member, peripheral walls connecting corresponding edges of said slide member front and rear walls, and tab members positioned on said slide member at the lower portion thereof and slidably registering with said guideways.

5. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein the rear wall of said slide member projects below the front wall of said slide member, and said tab members project forwardly from the lower side edges of the rear wall of said slide member below the front wall of said slide member.

6. The receptacle of claim 5, wherein said tab members are of triangular configuration and have front edges inclined rearwardly upwardly at about the same angle as said tray member side wall front edges.

7. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein said tray member and said slide member are each integrally formed of a unitary sheet blank.

8. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein at least one of said slide member peripheral walls is defined by a closure flap affording access to the interior of said slide member.

9. The receptacle of claim 4, wherein said slide member peripheral wall includes a horizontal top wall having a finger opening formed therein.

10. The receptacle of claim 6, wherein said slide member has an access opening formed therein.

11. The receptacle of claim 10, wherein said access opening is formed in the front wall of said slide member.

12. The receptacle of claim 10, wherein said access opening is formed in an end wall thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,018,726 2/1912 Porter 206- 2,021,003 11/1935 Einson et a1. 206-45 2,082,762 6/1937 Costigan 206-45 2,108,278 2/ 1938 Webber 206-47 THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

MARTHA L. RICE, Examiner. 

1. A SHIPPING AND DISPLAY RECEPTACLE COMPRISING A TRAY MEMBER INCLUDING A BASE SECTION AND REAR OUTER WALL PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM THE REAR EDGE OF SAID BASE SECTION AND A REAR INNER WALL SPACED FORWARDLY OF SAID REAR OUTER WALL AND HINGED ALONG ITS LOWER EDGE TO SAID BASE SECTION ALONG A LINE FORWARD OF THE REAR EDGE THEREOF, A SLIDE MEMBER DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID REAR OUTER AND INNER WALLS AND VERTICALLY MOVABLE RELATIVE THERETO, AND MEANS LIMITING THE UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID SLIDE MEMBER TO A POINT ABOVE THE UPPER EDGE OF SAID INNER REAR WALL. 